Paul R. Shanahan, a Republican from Salina, Kansas, was the Secretary of State of Kansas between 1951-1966. He also served in the state House of Representatives, representing district 63 between the years 1945-1951. Shanahan's family settled on in Salina, Saline County, Kansas in 1870, where he was born. In 1937 he was appointed under sheriff of Saline County and served four years before being elected sheriff for two terms. During this time he served as president of the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Following his terms as sheriff, he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, serving three terms from district 63. He served as a majority floor leader in 1949 and had two terms on the Legislative Council. He served as a member of the Kansas Interstate Cooperation Commission under four governors and was chairman of the state School Fund Commission. In 1957, while Secretary of State for Kansas, he was elected president of the National Association of Secretaries of State, serving on the executive board until his death on April 14, 1966.
From the description of Paul R. Shanahan Papers, circa 1916-1966. (Kansas State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 694081009
